St. Stephen franchise to begin play in MHL next season

MONCTON, N.B. – The MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) will welcome a 12th team for the 2014-15 season.

The league’s board of governors approved a franchise for St. Stephen, N.B., during a meeting in Amherst, N.S., on Saturday.

The board also supported a revised code of discipline to be finalized by the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and implemented for the 2014-15 season.

This code will provide incremental penalties against infractions such as checking from behind and blows to the head. In addition, the league will formally adopt the “one-fight rule” that was previously discussed at the November board meeting as per accordance with the national standard as prescribed by the CJHL.

It was also announced the MHL’s annual meeting and draft will be held in Campbellton, N.B. The dates will be announced later.